Well….it was time to get some chores done…besides the obvious like laundry and daily runs to the boulangerie, we wanted to make sure we had everything we needed to cruise Madagascar….our next country.
Madagascar Visas
You don’t NEED to apply for your Madagascar visa in advance as one can be given to you upon arrival. However, we had the time and there was a Malagasy consulate here in Reunion so why not?! Additionally, there have been reports Malagasy officials “add” a cost for their this services so getting it in advance cuts out the immigration middle man : )
https://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy15463/
We hopped in Claude and Louise’s car they had rented for a month. On our way to the consulate, we saw this amazing road being built. Claude told us it was going to cost $8m! 
Even Google maps has it on their latest update… 
I copied/pasted the address from the above website. You will see the “blue” route to the “supposed” location but it is not there. It is actually the structure in the “red square”. Notice the street name is actually the same as the “provided” address….it’s confusing. 
Google Earth image. The blue dot is where the consulate is. The red arrow is where I was standing and took the next photo “viewpoint #1” 
“viewpoint #1” 
Google Earth image. The blue dot is where the consulate is. The red arrow is where I was standing and took the next photo “viewpoint #2” 
“viewpoint #2” 
You will see this small sign when you start to walk up to the white “house” 
Head up stairs to the office 
The office is just to the left. The application forms are in a box near the door. The ladies are super sweet but speak French. Thank goodness we had Claude and Louise to translate for us! 
On the application (I took this photo before they asked us to place this date), they will ask you to put a date when you will arrive in Madagascar. Place the EARLIEST date you will be arriving….you can’t “officially” clear in to the country before this date, but you can check in after this date. 
You will need a passport sized photo for each of you. 
It costs 78 Euros for two 60 day visas (90 day visas are no longer available), so that’s 37.5 Euros each. I would try to have exact change. The ladies just have a tin box for their cash?!
Fuel
We had planned to take our boats to the fuel dock on Sunday after we cleared out of the country…. 
However, we were advised that they may run out of fuel on Sunday. This is because the tanks are refilled on Monday’s…..notice they are closed Monday’s…. 
So we dropped the dinghy and with Neptune’s Highway and Spill the Wine, we all gathered jerry jugs and filled all our boats.
Final Provision….or not?!
It would be a shame if Slow Flight ran out of beer….so it was time to restock up…and while we were at it…why not some good French wine! We were told by a friend in Mauritius the local Mauritius beer, Phoenix, was cheaper in Reunion than in Mauritius….so we waited until now to “fill the bilges” once more! Mind you we did this run a few weeks before we left and while waiting for a weather window…many more social events happened….so we drank through some of our stash….we had to make another run.
Up next: Reunions on the island of Reunion…
Happy Birthday to Kimi! And Happy Birthday to Trevor in advance of his special day in October. Thanks for sharing your interesting adventures as you continue your travels. Looking forward to your plans to return to the USA in June 2020. Imagine that you will be arriving in the east coast at that time. We have plans to be in Hawaii in June 2020, but could try to visit you on the east coast sometime after you arrive there. Keep us informed of your travel timetable. When you eventually return to Seattle, you will find so many changes to the city. The Alaskan Way viaduct has been totally removed, and the underground tunnel is in full use. So many new skyscrapers in the city, and more being built. The former Amgen buildings along 15th Ave. West have been expanded to welcome up to 4000 workers from Expedia, starting in early October–they are moving from their Bellevue site. Traffic headaches anticipated, when we try to travel from Magnolia to downtown and other locations. Current talk by politicians and govt. about replacing the Magnolia Bridge because of safety concerns–this issue has been discussed for decades without any action. Will see if anything happens this time. Restaurants Unlimited (Maggie Bluffs, Palisades, Palomino, etc.) has declared bankruptcy and is looking for a buyer. The restaurants have not closed yet, but might have to. RU claims that the $15 minimum wage law has cut into their profits. I do not know if you have been able to keep informed of “local” news at all. It will be interesting for you to readjust to living in the USA and Seattle. Lisa has apparently been sending you info. and photos of Kyla who will be 1 yr. old on 10/16/19. You can finally meet her when you return to the US. We just returned home from our annual trip to Whistler and Vanc. BC–enjoyed lots of activities, including lively “Beach Boys” concert. We are keeping active with various travels and with our hula (both of us) and flamenco (John) classes, etc. We are thinking of you and sending our love. Mom and John
Thanks mom and john for the updates….it’s been a roller coaster over here!!!! Will be in touch soon : )